Even in my favorite season, I’ve hit some bumps. I’m enough of an extrovert that I’ve always created the community I crave. But, honestly, I haven’t had the energy to invest in relationships, so this summer has been filled with my few closest friends and whoever invited me into their life.

Kristen Strong’s encouragement and guidance in “Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People” helped me find my place in my own season of letting roots sink in more deeply while learning new things, processing how sorrow and hope can co-exist, and finding renewed perspective in belonging right where I am. She’s spurred me on to seek God’s beauty and adventure right in front of me. While doing so, God filled my soul when I feel empty and reminded me of his promises for me and my place with Him.

One of the gifts this summer was a Bible study my friend Megan hosted. Honestly, I shy away from regular commitments in the summer, but I knew when she asked me about it in the spring that I wanted to go. I didn’t anticipate backing off from some of my usual invitations to others. I didn’t realize sorrow could lead to feelings of not belonging. I didn’t know at the time I would need for someone to welcome me in. (Plus I’ve learned a lot from studying Hebrews.)

This summer has definitely been a season of growing down, letting roots sink in more deeply while learning new things about myself and my family. My tendency is to make plans and invite people over and fill the wide-open spaces. But this summer I drew the circle a little smaller and found fresh perspective in belonging right where I am.

“The specifics of how we relax in this growing down season aren’t important. Using the time and not wasting it is. This is not the time to fret about growing up or out to be seen in our belonging place. This is the season to be known by growing down, to build a stronger sense of belonging that is rooted in Christ, in whom our closeness overshadows our place here on earth.”

Kristen’s words in that paragraph and her whole book came when I needed them most. I preordered “Back Roads to Belonging” long before this season and then I received a copy for being on the launch team. It’s one of those books that literally feels good to hold and figuratively feels good for your soul.

I actually gave my early copy away to my friend Becky who moved at the end of July because she’s been important to my belonging — to this season, to this community, and to Christ. (I also gave her a copy of the mix I made for myself because I needed to hear truths of about how sorrow & hope could mingle together. Here’s that playlist, if you’re interested.)

My friendship with Becky surprised me in the sweetest ways this summer because I didn’t see all our conversations and time around tables coming. But God knew. He knew I needed her wisdom and authenticity. He knew she needed to belong in a different way too. He knew things we haven’t even learned yet because that’s how he provides and sustains us in our eternal belonging.

I’m grateful for my own back roads, Kristen’s words, and the belonging that happens here. As my kids head back to school and we fall into a different routine, I’ve still got belonging on my mind. So here’s to saying yes to others, welcoming others in even when it looks different than expected, and believing hospitality matters because it helps heal.

So, in Kristen’s words: “When you believe you’re in a season of wandering around a barren belonging landscape, may you know you don’t wander purposelessly. God is aware of every bump and bend, and Jesus walks with you through every setback and delay. May you never stop participating in your own life, even through the mystery — because God is moving for you in your life. May you remember Jesus was brought outside so you could be brought inside forever.”

About the author & book

Kristen Strong, author of “Girl Meets Change,” writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with more hope and less worry. She and her U.S. Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children. Together this military family zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can find her at her website, DaySpring’s (in)courage, and on Instagram.

Giveaway

And I’m sharing a copy of this book with one of you. Thanks for being here and sharing pieces of your story. Use the Rafflecopter below for various entries. I’ll randomly choose a winner Tuesday, Aug. 13.

July was the slower season I needed, like a deep breath for my soul. I told a friend the other day my insides are calmer than they’ve been in a long time. We didn’t travel, we hosted some family and friends, and I read a lot of books.

Highlights

I love our small-town Independence Day celebration that included watching the traditional parade in the heat, grilling and swimming with other Taylors here at our house, and keeping the kids up way past their bedtimes for the fireworks.

I may have mentioned my sister and her family only live four hours away now (after having lived in New Zealand, Dallas, and Buffalo), so I was excited they came for another visit. It was the second of the summer and we’re making plans to visit them this fall. I love being grown-up sisters and watching our kids play together.

Okay, and actually, I did travel once. I spent one time in Winchester, Kentucky, celebrating my dear friend Sarah’s 40th birthday. It was a quick but soul-filling trip for me with best friend Jaclyn. I also got to see my longtime friend Katie. Being around a table with them is my favorite thing – and to be with all three of them at the same time is a gift.

And, truly, the highlight was being at home soaking in our #88daysofsummer. In addition to swimming, we’ve been eating many meals on the porch and taking rides through our woods, part of which a company has been logging pine trees. It’s all totally fascinating and such a neat process to watch from a distance.

Favorite Things

“Unpack Your Heart” by Phillip Phillips – I often turn on Needtobreathe radio on Pandora when we are outside on the porch or by the pool. I was so happy to hear this song. Of course, I added it to my “sorrow & hope” playlist I’ve

The Couch podcast – I got to chat (again) with my friend Mary Carver about a short-lived TV show that makes me so nostalgic. Come join us on her couch and find out how I feel about Jordan Catalano.

Google Calendar – A couple of months ago I set aside my old-fashioned paper planner, and I don’t have any regrets. Greg and I have shared Google Calendar for years now, and that’s definitely improved our communication. But I’ve recently started using the reminders for my to-do list and putting all my things on our color-coded calendar. I still find myself writing myself Post-It Notes of which errands I need to run on a given day or things I want to remember next time I sit down at the computer. But I feel like this is a simpler process. (I shared more about my going digital in Facebook and Instagram posts. I loved hearing about how others organize their lives too.)

From the Bookshelf

“The Stormchasers” by Jenna Blum – I learned of this author because I read her World War II book “Those Who Save Us,” which was excellent. This book was excellent too, but this story was set in modern times and dealt with different issues that affect relationships. This book touches on family relationships that are complicated when one twin has a mental illness and the other doesn’t understand it like she thinks she does. I read it in two days, mostly by the pool.

“We Were the Lucky Ones” – I packed this book around with me to the lake, beside the pool, in my purse in case I have a few spare minutes, and next to my bed. I used to swear I didn’t like historical fiction, and now I’ve lost count of how many (mostly World War II novels, as this one is) I’ve read. I stayed up way past my bedtime last night because I needed to know how this family’s story ended. This one sure ranks up high on the list. It’s heavy and hard but beautiful and brave.

“High Water” by Lynn Hightower – I read this book in a weekend. It was heartbreaking and heartfilling. It’s labeled as a mystery, and I was surprised a couple of times, but the writing is beautiful and true. This story is heavy but I didn’t want to put this book down.

“How to Walk Away” by Katherine Center – I spent two days by the pool reading this book. I’d kind of been looking for a happy book, but, truthfully, I’m drawn to stories with suspense, secrets, and struggles. It’s weird, really, because there’s been too much of that in real life and my reading life lately. But I thought maybe this cover with the flowers meant happy was coming for these characters. I was mostly right. I mean, they did get happy, but they had to walk through pain and heartache to get there. They had to face their pasts and be willing to step forward. They had to trust and hope and live. And then I remembered that’s true in real life too.

“I would never tell you that the life you wanted couldn’t have been exactly as great as you planned. But you have to love the life you have. You have to find inspiration in the struggle, and pull joy out of the hardship. That’s what we try to do — counterbalance the suffering with laughter, fizzy blankets, hugs, sing-a-longs, sunny-day picnics, chocolate chip cookies, and wildflowers. Because that’s all we can do: carry the sorrow when we have to, and absolutely savor the joy when we can. Life is always, always both.” Well written, Katherine Center. I mean that paragraph and the whole novel that made me teary and make me smile. Just like real life.

“Happiness for Beginners” by Katherine Center – Again, I read this one in two days, mostly by the pool. And yet again I found myself completely invested in the story and characters while also wanting to jot down some quotes. The way the plot is woven around nuggets of truth is masterful.

Here’s one of the quotes I want to remember: “But the things we remember are what we hold on to, and what we hold on to becomes the story of our lives. We only get one story. And I am determined to make mine a good one. After all, life will hand each of us our fair share of despair and loss and suffering — and then some. That’s certain. But just as certain: It will also give us slices of chocolate cake, and sunny-seventy-two-degree days, and breezes that rustle the trees. Good things are easy to overlook, but that doesn’t make them any less there. A forgotten song will come on the radio. A stranger will help you change a flat. A lady walking by will love your red scarify. A mistake will turn out to be a blessing. An old friend will forgive you. A new friend will make you laugh.”

This book left me thankful that happiness can be found despite circumstances, aware of why it’s important in living out my own story, and ready to read more Katherine Center books. It did not leave me wanting to go on a survival hike, but that was a great setting for this story.

“Slammed” and “Point of Retreat” by Colleen Hoover – I picked up “Slammed” when I was at the library because I loved another book by this author (“It Ends With Us”). Then I got totally sucked in and went to the library to get the sequel so I could have it when I finished. I read most of “Slammed” in one day, but I was glad to have a little left to carry over to the next day. And then I read “Point of Retreat” in another day, almost entirely while floating in the pool one afternoon when my kids decided they needed a pool break and surprisingly didn’t need me for a few hours either. Colleen Hoover writes stories with all the emotions I can relate to, even if my circumstances look different. And I’d say that’s a successful storyteller.

If you need more book recommendations, I shared a list of the books I’ve read so far this year. Plus I keep a list of recommended reads on Amazon.

On the Screen

“Suits” – I realized there was a whole season of this show I hadn’t seen on Amazon Prime, so I’ve been catching up with Harvey Specter and company. Meanwhile, the ninth and last season is currently accumulating on my DVR. There’s also a spin-off show called “Pearson” I’m recording.

When I saw this book’s title and author, I knew I needed to read it: “Joyful Surrender” by Elisabeth Elliot.

I’ve been in a season of learning to live (more) faithfully. For me, that’s looked like letting go, trusting God to be in the details, noticing needs and meeting them, serving those around me, and recognizing the value of where God has me right now. Obviously, it’s been a process of surrender to the control I naturally I want. It’s a lesson I have to work on over and over again because all my ESFJ, Enneagram 1w2 ways are quick to kick in.

Then I noticed the subtitle of the book: 7 Disciplines for the Believer’s Life.

I’m glad this book caught my eye because it’s a breath of fresh air in this do-it-all, be-all-you-can-be culture. It’s like sitting down with a kind, wise friend who is willing to tell you where she’s been and what she learned along the way. Elliot writes about discipline, freedom, obedience, and sovereignty in conversational tones that draw the reader in and point to Jesus.

“We are required to take the risk, move, trust God, make a beginning. This is what Jesus always asked of those who came to Him for help of any kind. Sometimes He asked them to state their case (“What do you want me to do?”), to affirm their desire (“Do you want to be healed?”), and often to do something positive (“Stretch out your hand.”) before He could do His work. There had to be evidence of faith, some kind of beginning on their part. The first baby step of faith is followed by a daily walk of obedience, and it is as we continue with Him in His Word that we are assured that we are, in fact, called and having nothing to fear.” – Elisabeth Elliot in “Joyful Surrender”

Living faithfully has shown me the glory in joyfully surrendering. But I have a lot to learn and I’m grateful for this guide – the author, her words, and our Creator – to teach me.

About the book

In our age of instant gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is hardly a popular notion. Yet it may be one of the most important lost virtues of our time. In “Joyful Surrender,” former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for people of all times. She shows readers how to discipline the mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings; overcome anxiety; change poor habits and attitudes; trust God in times of trial and hardship; and let Christ have control in all areas of life.

Elliot masterfully and gently takes readers through Scripture, personal stories, and observations of the world around her to help them discover the understanding that our fulfillment as human beings depends on our answer to God’s call to obedience.

There are 14 chapters, which read like encouragement written from a friend.

Created, Cared for, Called

Discipline: The Answer to God’s Call

How Do We Know We Are Called?

Under Orders

Grace, Book, Spirit – And One Thing More

A Sovereign God and a Man’s Choice

The Discipline of the Body

The Discipline of the Mind

The Discipline of Place

The Discipline of Time

The Discipline of Possessions

The Discipline of Work

The Discipline of Feelings

Exchange: My Life for His

This book was originally published in 1982 and again in 2006 under the title “Discipline,” but Revell Books recently published this repackaged edition, which is a 176-page paperback book.

About the author

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was one of the most perceptive and popular Christian writers of the last century. The author of more than twenty books, Elliot offered guidance and encouragement to millions of readers worldwide.

*****

I got a free copy of this book to review from its publisher Revell Books. These opinions are my own. If you looking for other wise encouragement, I also really love reading through Elliot’s “Keep A Quiet Heart,” which is a compilation of devotional-type essays. https://amzn.to/2DhksHe

Let’s Connect

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and love sharing with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our fifth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear second-grade boy, and our joy-filled toddler girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.